Comments on Mapless: Hanging Chad Theology

Katherine...it's so interesting that the people wh...

2008-07-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

Katherine...it's so interesting that the people who worry most about us have never been in our shoes. I don't know, your comment made me think of that. It's like Micheal Savage's recent comments about autism...my best rule is to walk a mile in someone's shoes before passing judgment...and I try not to comment on what I know nothing of...

This is good stuff, Erin. Man, I understand. There...

2008-07-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

This is good stuff, Erin. Man, I understand. There are some who think my hole isn't punched clearly enough and others who think it isn't really punched at all, just dimpled - like I thought about it and changed my mind....

To the people that I used work work with, talk to, call friends, I have become the enemy, and a dangerous one, at that. For some, be cause I don't go to church. But, you, know, not that many of them actually know that I don't go anywhere anymore. I am a dangerous enemy because I left THAT church. Scary stuff.

Hi Myrabeth. I don't think we've met before this, ...

2008-07-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Myrabeth. I don't think we've met before this, are you Beth Patterson? Is the Virtual Teahouse you site? I have to look around there more, it seems quite interesting. Your blogger profile says you're another Oregonian! (I'm in Portland.)

Thanks for the words of affirmation. That fridge magnet is appropriate...it simply says we do not know what we think we know. I agree.

Ruth - It's so easy for us to judge by our own sta...

2008-07-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

Ruth - It's so easy for us to judge by our own standards. I do it too. I'm just glad God doesn't judge by any human standards!

Hi Erin--
I loved this post on the synchroblog....

2008-07-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hi Erin--
I loved this post on the synchroblog. And I LOVE the idea of our faith being a 'hanging chad'. Wow--smiling at the picture of that!

I have a fridge magnet that says, 'never put a period where God has put a comma' Somehow that applies here.

Thanks again for this great post!

That's a great illustration Erin. I find I often n...

2008-07-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

That's a great illustration Erin. I find I often need to check myself for judging the motives of others while I give myself grace.

Each of us have an internal check box in our heart. We need to choose for ourself and leave it to Jesus to separate the sheep from the goats. I love that song by Brian Doerkson that says:
"Today I choose to follow you
Today I choose to give my yes to you"
Whenever I sing that song it affirms in my own heart what my choice is.

Kelly - It's funny, but kids bring up the most int...

2008-07-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

Kelly - It's funny, but kids bring up the most interesting subjects, and I learn so much when I try to explain them. There is usually a lesson for me, as well.

Phil - Thanks! I just think judging someone's inte...

2008-07-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

Phil - Thanks! I just think judging someone's intent by some arbitrary standard won't usually get to the heart.

Donna - it's looking like I can come visit on Frid...

2008-07-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Donna - it's looking like I can come visit on Friday...I'll keep you posted.

I absolutely love how everyday conversations with ...

2008-07-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love how everyday conversations with our kids bring such enlightment in regards to our own personal walk with God!

Oh yeah,

now that's the heart of the matter...

2008-07-23T05:15:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah,

now that's the heart of the matter when it comes to seeing others in this political season. Good post.

Interesting Erin, I wasn't at RLP (Red Letter Pub,...

2008-07-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

Interesting Erin, I wasn't at RLP (Red Letter Pub, for those of you not in Portland) tonight but we are at Matt 11 and I've given lots of thought to it the last couple of weeks...would take up too much space here but it will be fun to talk to you about it...hopefully this Friday...the point sticking in my mind is John the Baptist's disciples questioning Jesus...are you sure YOU are the messiah? Jesus goes on to say something about blessed are those who aren't offended by me...(very unauthorized version!!)

FS - Oh do I EVER know what you're saying. Because...

2008-07-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

FS - Oh do I EVER know what you're saying. Because any time someone isn't plunking their ass in a church pew at least once a week it has to be satan. I think we give him way too much credit, is he really that special?

I'm sorry about the guilt thing. My best advice is always to follow the peace. We have the Spirit who will tell us when we are out of line. As long as we listen to that voice as best as we are humanly able, the peace will go with it. Because God sees the heart the way people aren't able to.

Good words, Erin. As I'm beginning the process of...

2008-07-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

Good words, Erin. As I'm beginning the process of "unchurching" now. I feel really misjudged by my former church-going colleagues, who are showing concern that we are going thru some satanic attack that has led to our non-attendance. My husband got a call today from our pastor, who implied such, and encouraged that we stay in a church, even if not his. Of course, it was all done in love and "concern" for our well-being, but it didn't help things, when my husband isn't totally on board with me about the issue. We are treading thru some very shaky waters, when it comes to the whole church thing. But, I feel sure my husband got, at least, a small dose of guilt about our church absence, which made me angry. Yeah, I think our hanging chad is definitely being misinterpreted. Funny, I don't feel at all attacked by the devil, or backslidden, or anything. In fact, I'm feeling quite free lately. I'm glad Father knows exactly which hole we've punched! (And I haven't felt one ounce of guilt coming from Him)